There are 7 messages totalling 655 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. Physiology Productivity Promises and BS Re: [ECOLOG-L] worlds
authorities
in sustainable ag/meat/ag ecology
2. Possible contact for sea turtle gulf restoration project
3. Humans in the definition of ecosystems (2)
4. Arid Lands Restoration Specialist
5. Short-Term Position: Science Curriculum Design
6. Job: Senior Research Assistant, Jornada Basin Long-Term Ecological
Research (LTER)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2010 09:29:25 +0100
From: Anna Renwick <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Physiology Productivity Promises and BS Re: [ECOLOG-L] worlds
authorities in sustainable ag/meat/ag ecology
I think there are two issues here:
1) GM crops
2) massive biotech companies like Monsanto
Perhaps it may be better to look at each of these separately.
Dr Anna R. Renwick
Research Ecologist
British Trust for Ornithology,
The Nunnery,
Thetford,
Norfolk,
IP24 2PU,
UK
Tel: +44 (0)1842 750050; Fax: +44 (0)1842 750030
Registered Charity No 216652 (England & Wales) No SC039193 (Scotland)
Company Limited by Guarantee No 357284 (England & Wales)
Opinions expressed in this e-mail are not necessarily those of the BTO.
-----Original Message-----
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Annemarie Kramer
Sent: 01 July 2010 12:40
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Physiology Productivity Promises and BS Re:
[ECOLOG-L] worlds authorities in sustainable ag/meat/ag ecology
I am only joining the discussion now, but enterprises like Monsanto do
raise
concerns. There is a documentary on you tube that critically shows what is
behind them and makes you think you don't want these kind of enterprises
controlling our future agriculture market (and this is what they are
after).
It is scary.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hErvV5YEHkE
Annemarie
-------- Original-Nachricht --------
> Datum: Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:23:28 -0700
> Von: Paul Cherubini <[email protected]>
> An:
> Betreff: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Physiology Productivity Promises and BS Re:
[ECOLOG-L] worlds authorities in sustainable ag/meat/ag ecology
> Wayne Tyson wrote:
>
> > What's the irrigation efficiency component of those statistics? Are
> > there any actual experimental data that compare strains under
> > laboratory controls? I'm talking strictly about actual water
consumption
> > per unit biomass or seed volume/weight, not field observations loaded
> > with variables and open to manipulation. But beyond that, upon what
> > theoretical foundation is the assertion that GMO alone performs these
> > miracles, without any change in water and nutrients?
>
> Wayne, the biotech companies have not claimed GMO alone will double
> yields in 30 years while at the same time consuming fewer resources
> (water, fertilizer, fossil fuel, land) and producing less carbon
> dioxide.
>
> Monsanto explains the doubling of yields of corn, soybeans, cotton
> and canola in 30 years can reasonably be accomplished via using a
> combination of advanced Plant Breeding, Biotechnology and Agronomic
> Practices
>
http://www.monsanto.com/responsibility/sustainable-ag/new_vision_for_ag.asp
>
> The American Soybean Association gets into some specifics in it's
> brochure on "Ten Reasons US Soybeans Are Sustainable"
> http://www.ussoyexports.org/resources/USSEC_sustainability.pdf
>
> Examples from the brochure:
>
> a) Herbicide tolerant [GMO] soybeans enable farmers to practice
> no-till production.
> b) The no-till production method enables farms to reduce deep plowing
> and multiple soil cultivation operations with heavy equipment.
> c) The reduction in deep plowing reduces the loss of soil and moisture.
> d) No-till allows the residue from the previous crop to be left in the
> field which eventually degrades and thus increases the amount of
> topsoil in the fields.
> e) Narrow row planting enables soybeans to grow so closely together
> they crowd out competing weeds and reduce soil moisture loss.
> f) Reduced need for heavy soil cultivation equipment reduces fossil
> fuel use and emissions and reduces soil compaction which in turn
> is good for earthworm populations, soil moisture retention and
> reduced water runoff into waterways.
>
> Paul Cherubini
> El Dorado, Calif.
--
GRATIS für alle GMX-Mitglieder: Die maxdome Movie-FLAT!
Jetzt freischalten unter http://portal.gmx.net/de/go/maxdome01
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2010 09:01:56 -0400
From: =?ISO-8859-1?Q?Allen_Salzberg?= <[email protected]>
Subject: Possible contact for sea turtle gulf restoration project
We have approval for rescue teams and area also gathering resumes now for
nest work. Our proposal to Unified Command for rescue teams took 2 weeks
but
was approved.
If you can, please send resume to me and I will add to developing new
proposal for nesting assistance. We are slowing driving a wedge into
Unified
Command to allow qualified individuals to help. Some paid positions,
details
still pending. It could be weeks until we know for sure.
Please share w others
Cheers,
Chris
Christopher Pincetich, Ph.D.
Campaigner & Marine Biologist, Sea Turtle Restoration Project
(415) 663-8590, ext. 102
P.O. Box 370, Forest Knolls, CA 94933 USA
Location: 9255 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Olema, CA 94950
www.SeaTurtles.org/GulfSeaTurtleUpdate
Visit the STRP Action Center to help with all current campaigns.
Join the Sea Turtle Restoration Project on Facebook Causes
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2010 10:48:48 -0500
From: James Crants <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Humans in the definition of ecosystems
WT and Ecolog,
Since the CBD definition of ecosystem calls it "a dynamic complex," not
"the
dynamic complex," it implies that there is more than one ecosystem on
earth
(assuming the authors of this definition didn't define it this way to make
room for any extraterrestrial life we might one day discover).
The definition also says that the components of the ecosystem interact "as
a
functional unit." I think that part of the definition of a functional
unit
must be that the biotic and abiotic environment inside the unit differs
from
that outside it, and that the shift in environment from inside to outside
corresponds with the borders of the unit. (Minnesota would have a
different
species list from Iowa, but there's no perceptible shift in biology at the
border between the two states, so they are not discrete functional units.)
A deer's rumen is a functional unit. If you tried to define the borders
of
the rumen based purely on community composition and abiotic factors, I
think
you'd end up with very similar borders to what you'd see if you defined
them
based on the shape of the rumen. Similarly, a kettlehole bog would be a
functional unit, and an outcrop of serpentine soil in California might be,
too. However, an arbitrarily-defined hectare of prairie in the Nebraska
Sandhills would not qualify, since organisms and nutrients would flow
across
the borders of that hectare plot just as freely as they would cross any
random line drawn through the middle of it, and a sampling transect
running
across any border of that plot would find no great shift in species
composition or abiotic factors corresponding with the location of the
border
(except by chance).
There are also functional units that only exist because of what I called
"ecological discontinuities we've imposed on the landscape." An arbitrary
hectare of prairie surrounded by many other hectares of prairie is not a
functional unit, but the same hectare, surrounded by many hectares of
cornfields, is a functional unit. It has different species of plants,
animals, and microbes, different nutrient inputs, maybe a different annual
rainfall total (if the cornfields are irrigated), more leaf litter, and a
different soil composition (probably more organic matter, and much more
clearly defined soil horizons in the top foot or so of soil). It likely
has
a different fire regime, especially if it's managed to maintain the
pre-settlement vegetation.
Concepts like "community" and "ecosystem" might not seem so natural to us
if
we did not live in a world where "nature" was largely relegated to islands
in a sea of anthropogenic landscapes, which themselves are cut into
sharp-edged patches of different land uses. When I wrote about ecosystems
as "artifacts of the ecological discontinuities we've imposed on the
landscape," I was thinking of cases like that hypothetical hectare of
prairie, where little bits of natural habitat were turned into isolated
units sometime before scientists started trying to find useful labels for
ecological systems.
Jim Crants
On Thu, Jul 1, 2010 at 6:30 PM, Wayne Tyson <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
> JC and Ecolog:
>
> (Note to Jim: I finally found it.)
>
> "'*Ecosystem*' means a dynamic complex of plant, animal and
micro-organism
> communities and their non-living environment interacting as a functional
> unit." https://www.cbd.int/recommendation/sbstta/?id=7027
>
> I don't see that this definition excludes humans either; perhaps
> DeClerck
> will ask her mystery colleague how he/she came to that conclusion?
>
> I don't interpret the definition as necessarily relating to a plurality
of
> units, but rather to the entire ecosystem. I've always had a bit of
trouble
> referring to subsets of the earth's ecosystem as discrete units, even
though
> I recognize the utility of doing so. I would like to understand what
Crants
> means by "functional units" as well as "artifacts of ecological
> discontinuities."
>
> As I have said elsewhere, I see culture as a psychological phenomenon
that
> served a utilitarian purpose--that of permitting humans to manipulate
their
> environment far more than any other any other species--almost without
limit.
> All animal make mistakes--mountain sheep fall off cliffs, but humans
> seem
to
> grow better and better at making mistakes and institutionalizing them
than
> other species. Insanity is not limited to Homo sapiens--sick and
> injured
> bears fly into rages and sometimes attack even humans and kill "without
> reason." But humans, even apparently healthy ones, have instutionalized
not
> only killing but have found ways to rationalize almost any
> murder--particularly mass murder committed in the name of the culture,
aka,
> "cult." Whereas Nature has been able to quickly take out deviants as
> part
of
> ecosystem function, humans have found ways to beat that rap in countless
> ways. But, as my wife is fond of saying, "Nature bats last." I suspect
we're
> past the first inning.
>
> WT
>
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2010 12:09:30 -0400
From: =?ISO-8859-1?Q?Bridget_Walden?= <
[email protected]>
Subject: Arid Lands Restoration Specialist
Description:
The Great Basin Institute is working cooperatively with the Bureau of Land
Management Las Vegas Field Office to implement a wide array of arid lands
restoration projects throughout the Mojave Desert ecoregion. As such, GBI
will hire an Arid Lands Restoration Specialist to schedule, manage,
implement, coordinate and report on restoration projects. Restoration
projects are often implemented in conjunction with Nevada Conservation
Corps
crews and other GBI Research Associates. Specific restoration activities
include illegal road decommissioning, post-fire rehab seeding and
planting,
and desert clean-ups. Particular attention will be placed on native plant
management activities including assistance with native plant species
production and determination of species for cultivation, and development
and
implementation of a native plant seed collection plan, including source
material documentation, locations, map(s), and amount required from
collection sites. The Research Associate will gain experience, knowledge
and
skills involving land use issues related to restoration and renewable
resources, as well collecting, analyzing and reporting data on the success
of restoration projects. The associate will also gain expertise in the
Mojave Desert ecosystem and knowledge of automated systems for project
tracking and review.
Compensation:
o Rate of Pay: $18.59/hour
o Health/Dental benefits
o Paid Personal Leave
Timeline:
o 6-month contract with potential for extension pending funding and
performance review
o Start Date: August 23,2010
o Full time, 40 hours per week
o Overtime and weekend work may be required occasionally
Location:
o Las Vegas, NV
Qualifications:
o Bachelor’s degree with coursework and field experience related to
biology,
restoration ecology, botany, environmental studies/science, wilderness
management or related field;
o Experience with project management or leading/managing field crews,
desired;
o Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a
diverse audience;
o Experience using hand-held GPS equipment for data collection and
navigation;
o Ability to read and navigate using topographic maps and a compass;
o Experience using ArcGIS software;
o Knowledge of and/or experience working with Mojave desert flora and
fauna,
desirable;
o Willingness and ability to work in harsh, ever-changing desert
conditions
and camp in remote, undeveloped locations, occasionally;
o Willingness to work different schedules, including weekends on occasion;
and
o Valid, state-issued driver’s license and familiarity driving 4WD
vehicles
on- and off-road.
How to Apply:
Applicants should forward a cover letter, their résumé, and a list of
three
professional references to Bridget Walden, Great Basin Institute
Recruitment
Specialist at [email protected].
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2010 17:43:26 -0700
From: Wayne Tyson <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Humans in the definition of ecosystems
JC and Ecolog:
It appears that Crants has caught me napping. And, apparently, in a sense,
CBD.
I am still uncomfortable with using the same term for the earth (or, I
suppose, the universe) and the kind of subsets Crants calls "functional
units." Still, the acid test of a term is its clarity and utility for
communication, and when we speak of a vernal pool ecosystem, and "the"
ecosystem, we are usually understood--or at least consistently
misunderstood. If I have any concern, it would probably be that if people
come to think of the earth as being made up of discrete ecosystems and not
seen as an integrated whole . . .
WT
PS: Many years ago someone had created an ecosystem in a glass globe on
his
desk. Does anyone know if it still exists and is still functional?
----- Original Message -----
From: "James Crants" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, July 02, 2010 8:48 AM
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Humans in the definition of ecosystems
> WT and Ecolog,
>
> Since the CBD definition of ecosystem calls it "a dynamic complex," not
> "the
> dynamic complex," it implies that there is more than one ecosystem on
> earth
> (assuming the authors of this definition didn't define it this way to
make
> room for any extraterrestrial life we might one day discover).
>
> The definition also says that the components of the ecosystem interact
"as
> a
> functional unit." I think that part of the definition of a functional
> unit
> must be that the biotic and abiotic environment inside the unit differs
> from
> that outside it, and that the shift in environment from inside to
> outside
> corresponds with the borders of the unit. (Minnesota would have a
> different
> species list from Iowa, but there's no perceptible shift in biology at
the
> border between the two states, so they are not discrete functional
units.)
>
> A deer's rumen is a functional unit. If you tried to define the borders
> of
> the rumen based purely on community composition and abiotic factors, I
> think
> you'd end up with very similar borders to what you'd see if you defined
> them
> based on the shape of the rumen. Similarly, a kettlehole bog would be a
> functional unit, and an outcrop of serpentine soil in California might
be,
> too. However, an arbitrarily-defined hectare of prairie in the Nebraska
> Sandhills would not qualify, since organisms and nutrients would flow
> across
> the borders of that hectare plot just as freely as they would cross any
> random line drawn through the middle of it, and a sampling transect
> running
> across any border of that plot would find no great shift in species
> composition or abiotic factors corresponding with the location of the
> border
> (except by chance).
>
> There are also functional units that only exist because of what I called
> "ecological discontinuities we've imposed on the landscape." An
arbitrary
> hectare of prairie surrounded by many other hectares of prairie is not a
> functional unit, but the same hectare, surrounded by many hectares of
> cornfields, is a functional unit. It has different species of plants,
> animals, and microbes, different nutrient inputs, maybe a different
annual
> rainfall total (if the cornfields are irrigated), more leaf litter, and
> a
> different soil composition (probably more organic matter, and much more
> clearly defined soil horizons in the top foot or so of soil). It likely
> has
> a different fire regime, especially if it's managed to maintain the
> pre-settlement vegetation.
>
> Concepts like "community" and "ecosystem" might not seem so natural to
> us
> if
> we did not live in a world where "nature" was largely relegated to
islands
> in a sea of anthropogenic landscapes, which themselves are cut into
> sharp-edged patches of different land uses. When I wrote about
ecosystems
> as "artifacts of the ecological discontinuities we've imposed on the
> landscape," I was thinking of cases like that hypothetical hectare of
> prairie, where little bits of natural habitat were turned into isolated
> units sometime before scientists started trying to find useful labels
> for
> ecological systems.
>
> Jim Crants
>
> On Thu, Jul 1, 2010 at 6:30 PM, Wayne Tyson <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> JC and Ecolog:
>>
>> (Note to Jim: I finally found it.)
>>
>> "'*Ecosystem*' means a dynamic complex of plant, animal and
>> micro-organism
>> communities and their non-living environment interacting as a
>> functional
>> unit." https://www.cbd.int/recommendation/sbstta/?id=7027
>>
>> I don't see that this definition excludes humans either; perhaps
DeClerck
>> will ask her mystery colleague how he/she came to that conclusion?
>>
>> I don't interpret the definition as necessarily relating to a plurality
>> of
>> units, but rather to the entire ecosystem. I've always had a bit of
>> trouble
>> referring to subsets of the earth's ecosystem as discrete units, even
>> though
>> I recognize the utility of doing so. I would like to understand what
>> Crants
>> means by "functional units" as well as "artifacts of ecological
>> discontinuities."
>>
>> As I have said elsewhere, I see culture as a psychological phenomenon
>> that
>> served a utilitarian purpose--that of permitting humans to manipulate
>> their
>> environment far more than any other any other species--almost without
>> limit.
>> All animal make mistakes--mountain sheep fall off cliffs, but humans
seem
>> to
>> grow better and better at making mistakes and institutionalizing them
>> than
>> other species. Insanity is not limited to Homo sapiens--sick and
injured
>> bears fly into rages and sometimes attack even humans and kill "without
>> reason." But humans, even apparently healthy ones, have instutionalized
>> not
>> only killing but have found ways to rationalize almost any
>> murder--particularly mass murder committed in the name of the culture,
>> aka,
>> "cult." Whereas Nature has been able to quickly take out deviants as
part
>> of
>> ecosystem function, humans have found ways to beat that rap in
>> countless
>> ways. But, as my wife is fond of saying, "Nature bats last." I suspect
>> we're
>> past the first inning.
>>
>> WT
>>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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------------------------------
Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2010 19:04:36 -0600
From: Greg Goldsmith <[email protected]>
Subject: Short-Term Position: Science Curriculum Design
Short-Term Position: Science Curriculum Design For Canopy In The Clouds
Canopy In The Clouds is seeking enthusiastic and experienced teachers for
science curriculum design. Canopy In The Clouds uses innovative, immersive
media from a tropical montane cloud forest to provide a platform for
scienc=
e
education (www.canopyintheclouds.com). The project is a collaborative
effor=
t
between scientists and visual artists designed to serve as a free,
web-base=
d
educational resource to students, educators and visitors worldwide. We are
passionate about exploring the world around us and sharing what we find in
order to advance science education.
Canopy In The Clouds expects to hire two curriculum developers to develop
12-15 lesson plans and accompanying materials (i.e. assessment) each using
our current web content. Lessons will be driven by current national
learnin=
g
standards for earth science and life science. Lesson plans should be
sequenced into curriculum units; however, they will ideally also stand
alone. We anticipate working with one developer focused on upper middle
school materials and one developer focused on early high school materials.
Developers will largely work independently and will thus have substantial
freedom for creativity. However, developers will work together to improve
materials and have access to our team in order to implement new web-based
tools associated with lesson plans. Compensation is $1000 upon completion
o=
f
work, with a strong possibility of additional work pending future funding.
Minimum Qualifications:
-Bachelor=92s degree in biology
-Minimum of 3 years teaching middle or high school science
-Experience implementing inquiry-based learning and educational technology
in the classroom
-A passion for innovative science education and pedagogy
-Tremendous attention to detail, scientific accuracy, and effective
writing
Preferred Qualifications:
-Master=92s degree in biology or education
-Familiarity with tropical biology or ecology
-Familiarity with state or national learning standards
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume and recent lesson plan to
greg
[at] canopyintheclouds [dot] com. In your cover letter, please address
your
interest and experience in developing science education curriculum, your
background in biology, and what attracts you to Canopy In The Clouds. For
full consideration, please apply by 7 July 2010. Canopy In The Clouds is
an
equal opportunity employer.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2010 20:44:13 -0600
From: David Inouye <[email protected]>
Subject: Job: Senior Research Assistant, Jornada Basin Long-Term
Ecological
Research (LTER)
TITLE: Senior Research Assistant, Grade-17 Requisition 2010004912
ANTICIPATED START DATE: July 19, 2010
SALARY: $34,640. Continued employment is contingent upon federal
funding.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: A Bachelor's degree in Biology, Soil Science.
Environmental Sciences or field of research applicable to the position
and three years of related experience. Must have a Valid Driver's
License.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: The selected individual will be
self-motivated, flexible, possess strong supervisory and organizational
abilities, enjoy working under desert field conditions with high heat
and sun exposure (as this is primarily a desert field position), work
reliably both independently and as part of a team, establish and
maintain effective working relationships with associates and principle
investigators, be comfortable working safely with moderately hazardous
materials, recognize the extreme accuracy and consistency essential to
long term research, follow detailed oral and/or written instructions
precisely, communicate well both verbally and in writing, and be able to
coordinate needs with other agencies/groups. Acute attention to small
details, enthusiasm, and the ability to get along well with co-workers,
supervisors, and principle investigators are musts.
Ideally, the successful candidate will have field experience in plant
identification and the use of dichotomous keys, experience working in a
lab environment, good working knowledge of Microsoft Office products, be
comfortable using hand and power tools, and have field experience in
research related to the research areas addressed by this LTER program as
well as demonstrated skills in training and directing work of assigned
staff..
RESPONSIBILITIES: Work is based out of New Mexico State University in
Las Cruces, NM. Individual will participate in the on-going and
multi-disciplinary Jornada Basin Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER)
program on desertification in the Chihuahuan Desert. Research
disciplines include plant ecology (~35%), aeolian studies (~20%),
hydrology (~10%), animal ecology (~5%), soils (~9%), and climatology
(~5%). Approximately 80% of the time will be spent outdoors collecting
data, with the remaining 20% of the time spent in the lab processing
samples, cleaning equipment, checking data, and maintaining appropriate
documentation on the studies and lab. Although the position is usually
40 hours a week, additional hours may occasionally be required both
during the week and on weekends.
Specific field responsibilities include plant measurements and
identification (~200 species); soil moisture measurements using a
neutron probe; collection of aeolian dust and hydrology samples;
handling and identification of small mammals (~20 species); and
maintenance of field instruments, equipment, and infrastructure. The
position will entail manual labor such as routine carrying of heavy
instruments in the field for extended periods and that related to
infrastructure maintenance. General responsibilities include collecting
and recording moderately complex data in both field and laboratory
environments in accordance with established protocols; data entry;
maintaining organizational and historical data for each study; aiding
principle investigators with data collection; design, testing, and/or
modification of experimental equipment and procedures; and the
installation of experimental apparatus.
The Senior Research Assistant also supervises and coordinates
the collection, recording, and error checking of research data; assists
with scheduling and evaluation of assigned staff; assists with
establishing and documenting study protocols; maintains experimental
data, organizational data, and other records; assists with and/or
supervises the setting up of experimental apparatus, instruments, and
other equipment; manages a small laboratory according to federal and
university regulations; maintains accurate inventory records; acts as a
liason for principle investigators; provides support for visiting
scientists; and performs related work as required. Information about the
Jornada Basin LTER program: http://jornada-www.nmsu.edu.
BENEFITS: Group medical and hospital insurance, group life insurance,
state education retirement, worker's compensation, sick leave, and
unemployment compensation.
Review of APPLICATIONS: Review of applications will begin July 12 and
continue until filled. Submit letter of interest, resume or CV, copy of
unofficial transcripts, and 3 references with contact information.
Electronic submissions must be in MS WORD, Rich Text Format (RTF), or
PDF. Other formats will not be accepted.
REPLY TO: John P. Anderson, Jornada LTER Site Manager; USDA-ARS Jornada
Experimental Range; P.O. Box 30003 , MSC 3JER; New Mexico State
University; Las Cruces, NM 88003-0001 [2995 Knox Street, Suite 200 for
FedEx, etc.]
Voice: 505-646-5818; Fax: 505-646-5889; Email:
[email protected]
NMSU IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER.
All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent on the
university*s verification of credentials, individual*s eligibility
for employment in the United States and other information required by
federal law, state law, and NMSU policies/procedures, and may include
the completion of a criminal history check.
------------------------------
End of ECOLOG-L Digest - 1 Jul 2010 to 2 Jul 2010 (#2010-179)
*************************************************************
